-=5D CLASSIC admirers, assemble! (6)

harihacker wrote in post #18367949
Can someone suggest a good used 70-200 that can be bought for around 500$ or less? I see a few options from Canon f4L to Tamron and Sigma 2.8 (multiple versions). Does the Sigma/Tamron 2.8's hold up well against Canon f4L? Am shooting sometimes within my house with limited lightings. So I am worried about f4.

I owned the 70-200 f4L IS some time ago. Great lens, superbly sharp. That said, I didn't use it much (just not my style) so I sold it. Lately, though, I've been using the C/Y 35-70 f/3.4 and I'll say that, on the 5D and indoors, I do find the f/3.4 to be limiting unless I've got great window light. Indoors, I'd be very hesitant to recommend an even longer lens that's slightly slower and would need even more shutter speed - I just feel like I've living at or above ISO 1600 all the time with it (and I really only use 1600 when I have to on the 5D).

harihacker wrote in post #18367949
Can someone suggest a good used 70-200 that can be bought for around 500$ or less? I see a few options from Canon f4L to Tamron and Sigma 2.8 (multiple versions). Does the Sigma/Tamron 2.8's hold up well against Canon f4L? Am shooting sometimes within my house with limited lightings. So I am worried about f4.

Even at F1.4, it's often too dark in houses. And you're talking about a 200mm without stabilization? The 5Dc's ISO is actually fine, all the way to 3200, with processing. But honestly for what you're describing, I'd simply add flash. Gentle bounced flash set to fill (ETTL is worth praise) will make a world of difference. I'd pick up a Flashpoint R2 TTL/HSS. I shoot my 5D's all the time in the house, but I use flash virtually all the time. You can make it look natural too, with gentle fill bounce. I'd do this rather than fool with any fast aperture thinking it will solve it, because houses are just really dark frankly most of the time.

I would think a 70-200 is very long for indoors in a house. I more and more use a 17-40 inside with a flash for everything. I'd probably love a 14mm F2.8 (Samyang) at this point!

Very best,

@MalVeaux..Thanks for the advise. I do not always shoot indoors. For that I still use my 100mm f2 or 50mm STM. I was thinking of getting a zoom that I can use both indoors and outdoors which can probably replace my 100mm. I also thought that f4 would struggle indoors and so was thinking of Tamron/Sigma 70-200 f2.8 which could be versatile enough for both purposes.

I too agree with MalVeauX on a flash indoors. I'll sometimes use it even when using a lens faster than f2. I simplely bounce behind or off to the side which turns an off-white wall into an enormous softbox. You can bounce off wood, but will need to be actively checking your WB as light picks up the color that it's bouncing off of. A 430ex will have ample amount of power to fill most rooms in a house.

Personally I'm not a fan of the f4 200mm combo without IS unless I can keep the SS really fast, say 1/500. I think on the original 5d you can get away with 1/200 but on 20+MP bodies(especially the newer crop sensors), their sensors are too dense and it's too easy to get motion blur shooting slower. IS is really your friend with speeds that slow. So if you're wanting that 70-200 lens, still want a lighter lens, I'd save a little more and look for a clean, newer date code 70-200 f4 IS in the $675-750 price range.

100mm f2 can easily shoot at 1/125, but at 200mm you're doubling your ISO to double that SS

Thanks @ma11rats. Would you suggest getting the Tamron/Sigma 70-200 f2.8 for outdoor reach if I do not mind the weight?

I wouldn't buy either one of those brands' earliest version of that model(70-200 f2.8) for the possibility of inconsistent AF. Both of those companies have come a long way in reverse engineering Canon's algorithms. For me, I would only be looking at their IS equivalents(VC tam/OS sig) and those put you in a very similar price point to Canon's own non-IS version of the 70-200 f2.8 or the f4IS. And if I'm sitting at similar price points I will always choose Canon first. And I would specifically buy the f4IS and keep your 100f2. It's tough when limited in funds. But I guarantee you'll get better results using your 100f2 @ f2.8 than those 1st version(cheaper non-stabilized) Tam/Sig 70-200 f2.8 wide open. I know there's not a lot of room to crop with only 12.8MP but I would even bet you could crop to the equivalent 135 FOV and still produce great results with your 5d/100f2 combo. I LOVE my 5d/135f2 combo and I feel comfortable cropping in a bit on that lens too. I can squeak out an extra bit of 'focal length' and be happy with the result.
Ever think about picking one of those up? They've come down in price. Let's throw you another curve ball...Find a 135L used for $650... Renowned lens, getting 'cheap' these days, pairs VERY well with the original 5d and will SMOKE the other two brands early 70-200 versions in AF speed and accuracy.
OR if you just need the reach what about a used Canon 200mm f2.8 prime? You can find those between $400-550. Will be lighter/sharper/faster AF.


Lots of choices for you. My best advice is putting what you shoot in perspective. Don't get lost in the what could I do with this 'new' lens but more so, what do you see you're actually missing from what you currently have in your bag. I have swapped a LOT of gear over the last 3 years thinking I could do better with something else. Zooms are enticing for their convenience. But do not forget about their limitations. Would you be happy with the results of either of those two(your original interest) shooting wide open? IF not, they're really 'not' f2.8 for you then. My wife's setup is the 6D + tam 24-70 and we RARELY use it wide open. Only when we are already sitting at 1600. 85% of the time we're at f3.5. That's 2 stops slower than your 50 STM and almost 2 for your 100f2.

Of the Tam/Sig question....I would try to find a clean used copy of the Tamron 70-200 f2.8 VC. Now that the G2 version's been out for a few months the original one is coming down in price.

Don't buy the first version, find out it's just not that good, have to try to resell it, possibly lose money, and then save back up for what you should have purchased originally. Put all your options in a pile, read/watch reviews on all of it, then make your decision. And then come back here and show us awesome images with your 5d

Tried to get the bubble in a party.

◄ 5D | Canon EF 135mm f/2 L USM ►

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Got my 5Dc on the mail today! Subscribed

erikfig wrote in post #18371616
Got my 5Dc on the mail today! Subscribed

Camera of the month club? After I got the Kodak Disc 3500 I canceled my subscription.

Chet wrote in post #18371622
Camera of the month club? After I got the Kodak Disc 3500 I canceled my subscription.

LMAO

Chet wrote in post #18371622
Camera of the month club? After I got the Kodak Disc 3500 I canceled my subscription.

I got the 6000. Not a beginner camera but it is missing a good tripod mount for portraiture.

(Seriously - I had one back around '83. May be hidden in a box somewhere).

Still using the 5Dc though.

Gart

Couple of quick thoughts.

I have 2 flashes, 420EX and 220EX. Noticed the other day with the 420 the flash is not showing up in my pics - I see the flash burst in the view finder but my target is not "flashed". Take off the 420 and put on the 220, presto. Changed the batteries (thinking maybe it was having an effect but no difference.) Any thoughts?

On my body the flash hot shoe paint was wearing, messing with my OCDs, lol. So I picked up from Canon the 2 pieces that make up the hotshoe - looks so much better! Love it - I pass this info on so you know that if you choose to do the same or have thought about it, the 5D MKII is the same. Super easy "fix"!